RCFL: Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory

[Posted on Nov 28, 2007]

Somali Sentenced in Plot to Destroy Ohio Shopping Mall

A Somali immigrant was sentenced to 10 years in prison for plotting to blow up an Ohio shopping mall along with another man who was also convicted of being a terrorist with Al Qadea. The Chicago RCFL (CGRCFL) supported a federal joint task force investigating the crime, and one of its Examiners from the Will County Sheriff’s Office, made significant contributions toward indicting Nuradin M. Abdi, 35, formerly of Columbus, Ohio.

The CGRCFL Examiner located Arabic documents on Abdi’s computer that were downloaded onto a hard drive and sent to a translator. Abdi was arrested in 2003 for planning the attack, and agreed to a plea arrangement on July 31, 2007 where he admitted guilt on one count of conspiring to provide material support for terrorists (he originally faced a four-count indictment.) Abdi received a 10-year prison sentence on November 28, 2007.

In a press release dated July 31, 2007 by the Department of Justice announcing the plea agreement, FBI Deputy Assistant Director Arthur M. Cummings said, "While living in our country, Nuradin M. Abdi endangered the national security of the United States by conspiring to provide support to terrorists. Let there be no mistake, the FBI will work tirelessly with our partners in the law enforcement and intelligence communities to pursue suspected terrorists and their supporters and disrupt their criminal activities."

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